William Lionel Richardson was an insurance adjustor. He lived at 1913 Beach Avenue in 1912.
William Lionel Richardson (often called “Lionel Richardson”) was born on September 2, 1862, probably in Barnsley, Yorkshire, England. His father was John Richardson, who was a chaplain. His mother was Mary Watkins.
On March 31, 1890, in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, Lionel married Katherine (“Kate”) Abraham. She was born on February 3, 1866, in Aston, Warwickshire. Her father was John Abraham (1819-1899), a successful inventor and manufacturer. Kate’s mother was Charlotte Buswell (1836-1890).
In the 1890s the Richardson family moved to South Africa, where Lionel worked as a bank clerk. They moved to Canada about 1911.
Lionel first appeared in the Vancouver directories in 1912. He was living at 1913 Beach Avenue, and he was the managing director for Palmer, Burmester and von Gravenitz Limited.
(Charles Mansel Burmester, who lived at 2037 Pendrell Street in 1911, had also spent time in South Africa. It is possible, though not certain, that Lionel met Charles Burmester in South Africa.)
The family lived at the following addresses in the Vancouver area
| 1912 | 1913 Beach Avenue |
| 1913 to 1915 | 403 Somerset Street, North Vancouver |
| 1916 to 1920 | 225 East 15th Street, North Vancouver |
| 1921 | number 2, 1147 Nelson Street. |
| 1922 to 1935 | 2302 West 34th Avenue. |
Lionel carried on an insurance adjusting practice through the 1920s and early 1930s.
Lionel died in Vancouver on January 17, 1935. He was buried in Ocean View Burial Park in Burnaby, British Columbia.
Kate died in Vancouver on April 27, 1950. She was buried in Ocean View Burial Park in Burnaby.
Lionel and Kate had the following children.
Edith Marjorie Richardson
Edith Marjorie Richardson (often called “Marjorie”) was born on November 10, 1893, probably in Kings Norton, Warwickshire (although some sources say that she was born in South Africa).
Marjorie worked for a time as a librarian. She never married.
She died in White Rock, British Columbia, on April 16, 1977. She was buried in Ocean View Burial Park in Burnaby.
Gwendolen Kate Richardson
Gwendolen Kate Richardson was born in South Africa in 1895. No further information is available for her.
Sources
John Richardson (father of William Lionel Richardson)
“England and Wales Census, 1871”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5BZ-64F : 24 July 2015), John Richardson, 1871.
“England and Wales Census, 1881,” database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKX8-DNXQ : 17 August 2016), John Richardson, Warwick St Mary, Warwickshire, England; from “1881 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing p. 10, Piece/Folio 3088/110, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey; FHL microfilm 101,774,866. [Note: a “retired record”; the current version was not available on August 17, 2016.]
Mary Watkins (mother of William Lionel Richardson)
“England and Wales Census, 1871”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5BZ-64N : 24 July 2015), Mary Richardson in entry for John Richardson, 1871.
William Lionel Richardson
Lionel Richardson, http://www.ancestry.ca/genealogy/records/lionel-richardson_21830910: “Born in England on 2 Sep 1862 to John Richardson and Mary Watkins. Lionel married Katherine Abraham and had a child. He passed away on 17 Jan 1935 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.”
City of North Vancouver, Heritage Register, 2013, page 103: http://cnvapps.cnv.org/minutearchive/Attachments/2013%2002%2018%20HR%20attach%2001.pdf: Richardson Residence, 430 Somerset Street, Reyburn Jameson, Architect; 1912: “Architect Reyburn Jameson designed this residence for William Lionel Richardson (1862-1935), a fire loss adjuster, and his wife, Kate (née Abraham, 1866-1950), who lived in the house for only two years before moving to Vancouver.” [Note: Vancouver directories show the Richardsons at 225 East 15th Street in North Vancouver from 1916 to 1920.]
“England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NVKV-1PJ : 30 December 2014), William Lionel Richardson, 30 Sep 1862; citing Barnsley, York, England, reference yr 1849-1864 p 367; FHL microfilm 6,358,939.
“England and Wales Census, 1871”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5BZ-64J : 24 July 2015), William Lionel Richardson in entry for John Richardson, 1871.
“England Marriages, 1538–1973 ,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N62W-R36 : 10 December 2014), William Lionel Richardson and Kate Abraham, 31 Mar 1890; citing Kenilworth, Warwick, England, reference p 247 no 494; FHL microfilm 1,067,472.
“England Marriages, 1538–1973 ,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NVXR-RFD : 10 December 2014), William Lionel Richardson and Kate Abraham, 31 Mar 1890; citing Kenilworth, Warwick, England, reference ; FHL microfilm 1,067,472.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FL2D-58S : 30 September 2015), William Lionel Richardson, 1935.
William Lionel Richardson, death notice, Vancouver Province, January 18, 1935, page 15; Vancouver Province, January 19, 1935, page 17; Vancouver Sun, January 18, 1935, page 16; Vancouver Sun, January 19, 1935, page 18: “Richardson—Passed away suddenly on Jan. 17, William Lionel Richardson, in his 73rd year. Survived by his wife and one daughter, Miss Marjorie Richardson, of 2302 34th West, one brother, Archbishop Richardson of Fredericton, N.B., and one sister, Miss Richardson in England. Funeral Saturday, Jan. 19, at 3 p.m., from the T. Edwards Co.’s Memorial Chapel, 10th Avenue and Granville Street, Rev. C.c. Owen and Rev. W.T. Keeling officiating. Interment, Ocean View Burial Park.”
John Abraham father of Katherine (“Kate”) Abraham
John Abraham (P-459435529); http://genealogy.elib.com/family.php?famid=F154: Birth 20 July 1819; Eton Bray, Bedfordshire, England; Birth 20 July 1819; Dunstable, Bedfordshire, England; Birth 20 July 1819; Dunstable, Bedfordshire, , England; Marriage 24 November 1839 (Age 20) Priscilla Wallins, Aston, Gloucestershire, , England; Death 15 April 1899 (Age 79) Northfield, Worcestershire, England.
“England and Wales Census, 1861,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7K5-8NM : 14 January 2016), John Abrahams, Aston, Warwickshire, England; from “1861 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 9, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
“England and Wales Census, 1871”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KD8G-ZB4 : 24 July 2015), John Abraham, 1871.
“England and Wales Census, 1881,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKXZ-JNLT : 17 August 2016), John Abraham, Northfield, Worcestershire, England; from “1881 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing p. 29, Piece/Folio 2952/19, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey; FHL microfilm 101,774,836. [Retired record: current record not available on August 17, 2016.]
“England and Wales Census, 1891,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7YXJ-4PZ : 14 October 2015), John Abrahams, Northfield, Worcestershire, England; from “1891 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 12, Worcestershire county, subdistrict, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
“England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2JP1-S9M : 31 December 2014), John Abraham, 1899; from “England & Wales Deaths, 1837-2006,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Death, Kings Norton, Worcestershire, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
Charlotte Buswell (mother of Katherine (“Kate”) Abraham)
Charlotte Buswell: (P-459419649); http://genealogy.elib.com/family.php?famid=F154: Birth 1836: Birmingham, Warwickshire, England; Death: 18 November 1890 (Age 54) Dolgelly, England
“England and Wales Census, 1861,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7K5-8N9 : 14 January 2016), Charlotte Abrahams in household of John Abrahams, Aston, Warwickshire, England; from “1861 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 9, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
“England and Wales Census, 1871”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KD8G-ZBH : 24 July 2015), Charlotte Abraham in entry for John Abraham, 1871.
“England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2JFV-1KG : 31 December 2014), Charlotte Abraham, 1890; from “England & Wales Deaths, 1837-2006,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Death, Dolgelly, Merionethshire, Wales, General Register Office, Southport, England (possible connection)
Katherine (“Kate”) Abraham (wife of William Lionel Richardson)
Katherine Abraham, http://www.ancestry.ca/genealogy/records/katherine-abraham_41178191: “Born in England on 3 Feb 1866 to John Abraham and Charlotte Buswell. Katherine married Lionel Richardson and had a child. She passed away on 27 Apr 1950 in Vancouver, Canada.”
“England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2X96-59P : 1 October 2014), Kate Abraham, 1866; from “England & Wales Births, 1837-2006,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Birth Registration, Aston, Warwickshire, England, citing General Register Office, Southport, England.
“England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NFDW-44W : 30 December 2014), Kate Abraham, 30 Mar 1870; citing Aston, Warwick, England, reference item 3 p 240; FHL microfilm 1,545,528.
“England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N52W-WYL : 30 December 2014), Kate Abraham, 30 Mar 1870; citing , reference ; FHL microfilm 919,793.
“England Marriages, 1538–1973 ,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N62W-R38 : 10 December 2014), William Lionel Richardson and Kate Abraham, 31 Mar 1890; citing Kenilworth, Warwick, England, reference p 247 no 494; FHL microfilm 1,067,472.
“England Marriages, 1538–1973 ,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NVXR-RFZ : 10 December 2014), William Lionel Richardson and Kate Abraham, 31 Mar 1890; citing Kenilworth, Warwick, England, reference ; FHL microfilm 1,067,472.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLR4-6ZQ : 30 September 2015), Kate Richardson, 1950.
Kate Richardson, death notice, Vancouver Province, April 29, 1950, page 23; Vancouver Sun, April 29, 1950, page 37: “Richardson—Passed away peacefully at her residence, 3937 W. 37th Ave., on April 27, 1950, Kate, widow of Lionel Richardson (formerly well-known fire loss adjuster), in her 85th year. She leaves one daughter, Marjorie, of Vancouver; also nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews in England, U.S.A., and China. Funeral service will be held by Rev. H.J. Grieg on Monday at 2 p.m., in St. Phillip’s Chapel, 27th Ave. West and Dunbar St. Interment family plot Ocean View Burial Park. Simmons & McBride, Broadway at Maple St., funeral directors in charge.”
Edith Marjorie Richardson (daughter of William Lionel Richardson)
Marjorie Richardson, http://www.ancestry.ca/genealogy/records/marjorie-richardson_21782606: “Born in South Africa on 10 Nov 1893 to Lionel Richardson and Katherine Abraham. She passed away on 16 Apr 1977 in Peace Arch, British Columbia, Canada.”
[White Rock Museum + Archives]; Richardson, Marjorie (1893-1977); http://www.memorybc.ca/marjorie-richardson-fonds;rad: “Marjorie Richardson was born on 10 Nov. 1893 to Lionel and Kate (nee Abraham) Richardson and was their only surviving child. Marjorie’s early years were spent around Bloemfontein, South Africa where her father had moved the family from England. Marjorie attended St. Annes Diocesan College in South Africa. While there are no surviving records indicating when Marjorie began school, she did leave the school at the end of 1911. Around 1912 the family moved to Canada and, at first, settled in North Vancouver, but later moved to Kerrisdale. Around age 69, Marjorie, who never married, moved to White Rock where she was quite active in the community until her death on 16 Apr 1977.” [“Fonds consists of personal records created by Marjorie Richardson, some material created by Lionel Richardson, photographs of the Richardson and Abraham families, and postcards from British Columbia and Europe.”]
“England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2F9Z-GMF : 1 October 2014), Edith Marjorie Richardson, 1893; from “England & Wales Births, 1837-2006,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Birth Registration, Kings Norton, Worcestershire, England, citing General Register Office, Southport, England.
“Washington, Seattle, Passenger Lists, 1890-1957,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KDZ6-B47 : 4 December 2014), Edith Marjorie Richardson, 1939; citing Seattle, King, Washington, United States, NARA microfilm publication M1383, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.; FHL microfilm 2,266,231.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FL17-WYD : 30 September 2015), Marjorie Richardson, 1977.
Gwendolen Kate Richardson (daughter of William Lionel Richardson)
“South Africa, Church of the Province of South Africa, Parish Registers, 1801-2004,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KFNQ-798 : 6 November 2014), Gwendolen Kate, 14 Apr 1895; citing Baptism, St Andrew and St Margaret, Bloemfontein and Bloemfontein Cathedral, Bloemfontein, Orange Free State, South Africa, p. 47, William Cullen Library, Wits University, Johannesburg.
WestEndVancouver 